Reelectionist Senator Bong Go has claimed the top spot, while ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Erwin Tulfo followed at second place in the latest Pulse Asia survey on senatorial preferences.

In the survey conducted from 20 to 26 February, Go ranked No. 1 after being chosen by 58.1 percent of respondents, while Tulfo placed second with 56.6 percent.

“Most of the probable winners are either former or incumbent lawmakers and are running under the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” Pulse Asia said.

The other probable winners in the upcoming senatorial election are former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (49.2 percent); Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (46.1 percent); Senator Ronald de la Rosa (44.3 percent); Willie Revillame (42.3 percent); Ben Tulfo (40.7 percent); and former senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao (39.9 percent).

Meanwhile, Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid was picked by 39.4 percent of the respondents, placing him at 6th to 12th places, followed by Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar, and former senator Panfilo Lacson.

Those who did not make it to the so-called Magic 12 were Senator Imee Marcos, former senators Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, and actor Philip Salvador.

The polling firm said that indecision on whom to vote for in the senatorial election was expressed by 3.4 percent of registered voters.

“The rest of the country’s electorate either does not support any senatorial candidate (2.6 percent) or refuses to identify their candidates for the Senate (1.7 percent),” it said.

For his part, Go extended his gratitude to the public for his high rating in voter preference surveys for the upcoming midterm polls.

“Thank you very much for your continued support and trust in me,” he said in Filipino. He, however, said he was “deeply saddened by what is happening in our country.”

“It feels like I have lost a father,” he said, referring to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte who was flown to the Netherlands to face trial on crimes against humanity charges in relation to his administration’s war on drugs.

Close aide

“Despite this, I will continue my work and my commitment to provide genuine service with compassion. That is why I prioritize pushing for laws and programs that will help ordinary Filipinos, especially the poor and those who have nothing in life,” he said.

“Let us continue to bring government services closer to the people. These include medical services and health programs for the poor and for our citizens’ well-being. Your trust and support continue to give me strength and inspiration to do what is right, to advance the people’s interests, and to fight for the welfare of Filipinos,” he added.

He continued: “I always remember what Tatay Digong told me: ‘Just do what is right. Prioritize the country’s interests, put Filipinos first, and you will never go wrong.’”

Go was a close aide to Duterte before he entered politics and ran for the Senate in 2019. He served as Special Assistant to the President and head of the Presidential Management Staff of Duterte from June 2016 to October 2018.